1. How do I know whether to transfer colleges?
There are plenty of legitimate reasons to transfer, says Mimi Doe, co-founder of Top Tier Admissions advising firm. You may realize a college simply doesn’t meet your academic or social needs.
For some students, they figure out they want to be in a different geographic setting, such as an urban rather than rural campus, Doe says. And others want to further their education after community college.
Transferring may be a good option if your current college doesn’t satisfy your career goals, says Dan Lee, co-founder of Solomon Admissions Consulting. For instance, “If you want to be an investment banker and work on Wall Street and go into finance, there are certain schools that are target schools for investment banks,” he says.
But don’t transfer out for the wrong reasons, Doe says. If you’re homesick, frustrated by a long-distance relationship or just trying to get admitted to an Ivy League school, really consider whether making the change is necessary.
[Learn 10 things to know as a prospective transfer student.]
2. What are the first steps I should take to transfer?
“Educate yourself,” says Doe. Look into admissions statistics at other universities, review your high school and college transcripts, and create a list of schools that seem like a match. Experts also recommend exploring ways to improve your application from last time, such as by joining clubs or building strong relationships with professors who can write a solid letter of recommendation.
Doe suggests that prospective transfers create a spreadsheet of schools with information, such as when students can transfer in — some schools may only allow you to start in the fall, for example — and whether you need a required minimum number of credits. Consult the application requirements, which are typically listed on the school’s website.
3. When should I transfer?
That depends on a number of factors, says Gordon Chavis, associate vice president for enrollment services at the University of Central Florida. And those can be different for each student.
If you transfer during your first year, your high school transcript may hold more weight, experts say. At UCF, Chavis says, admissions officers are more likely to look at your high school transcripts and related materials if you enter with fewer than 60 credits. Prospective transfer students should consider whether their high school grades may help or hurt their odds of admission.
[Discover which colleges have the most transfer students.]
4. How selective are admissions for transfer students?
Some experts say it’s often more difficult to get admitted as a transfer applicant. Still, that can vary from school to school, depending on the level of competition and the number of available spaces in the class, says Julie Shimabukuro, director of undergraduate admissions at Washington University in St. Louis. Schools may also reserve spots for transfer students, experts say.
Transferring into highly selective, top-ranked colleges can be particularly difficult, Doe says; they usually have higher freshman retention rates, as U.S. News data illustrate, resulting in fewer openings.
5. Can I transfer and still graduate in four years?
It depends on several factors, says Drew Miller, a former admissions counselor at Liberty University in Virginia who himself was a transfer student. For example, the answer may be yes if you entered college set on eventually changing schools and took courses for credit that you confirmed would transfer elsewhere. Others start their undergraduate education with no intention of leaving and may have to make up credits at the new school.
The answer may also depend on whether you plan to change majors or need to fulfill certain general education requirements, among other factors.
6. How do I know if all my credits will transfer?
“Students need to make certain they’re talking with advisers, so that they have a clear picture about the credits they have taken, and whether those credits will transfer to the new institution,” says Chavis from UCF. He says that will help students make an informed decision.
7. Can I apply to colleges I was previously rejected from?
In most cases, experts say yes, although Lee says some of the most selective schools may not review a resubmitted application. If you reapply to any college, focus on how your credentials have improved and find ways to revise your application, perhaps by mentioning new achievements and rewriting your college essay.
Even if you are considering switching schools, work hard during the fall semester of your first year and achieve high grades, Doe says. “You want to have the professors know you,” she says, so they can write detailed recommendations.
[Explore what makes a strong college essay.]
8. Am I eligible for financial aid as a transfer student? In most cases, transfer students can apply for financial aid, though they will need to submit the necessary information, experts say. Lee, from Solomon Admissions Consulting, warns that some institutions are more likely to admit those who don’t apply for financial aid, though experts say this varies overall.
9. How much does it cost to transfer colleges?
Typically, you only pay an application fee. But Doe says that if you plan to visit campus, you may need to pay for travel.
10. How can I pick the right school the second time around?
Transfer applicants tend to know more about what type of college they want than freshman applicants, Lee says. If not, he advises you to focus on finding a school that will help you achieve your career goals.
“The important thing is to understand why the current institution isn’t satisfying their needs,” says Chavis, “so that they don’t make that mistake again.”
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Transferring Colleges: 10 Frequently Asked Questions originally appeared on usnews.com
